CTS Great Saints
J.B. Midgley
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860826252
CTS Booklet B728
Over the last few years I have read over 100 books from the Catholic Truth society. This was the eighth in the Great Saints Series. I have also read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series. And have loved most of them. Lately I have been focused more on this series, and a couple of others, almost alternating books in each series, and still have over a dozen in this series I want to read. And also trying to read the 26 books that J.B. Midgley wrote for the Catholic Truth Society. I have also read, St. Robert Bellarmine by Shaun McAfee, which was a history of the saint and a specific parish named after him. But back to this specific volume on Saint Robert Bellarmine. The description of this book is:
“Robert Bellarmine defended and promoted the Catholic faith in response to the Protestant Reformation, and his influence was the greater because of his holiness and gentle disposition. He engaged with other faiths in wise and charitable dialogue without hint of apology for the profession of his own. His well known writings supported the Faith during times of persecution. A truly pastoral bishop, he gave the example of a Christian life that does not count the cost.”
The chapters in this little volume are:
Forward
Formative Years
Responding to God’s Call
Priest and Academic
Return to Rome
Cardinal and Archbishop
To Rome Again
Later years
From His Writings
Devotion to Saint Robert Bellarmine
We are informed in the introduction that Robert Bellarmine was a Jesuit. He is a Doctor of the Church. That he is the patron of Catechists. And that he was fearless in his defense of the faith. He promoted a pastoral view of Catholicism. He lived a holy life. His passion was to bring Glory to God. He sounds like the type of bishop and cardinal that we need today.
One of the stories that really hit me was upon being recalled to Rome to serve there, he begged to be released as Bishop. He wrote against absentee Bishops and he did not want to leave his flock unattended. This is in stark contrast to others of his times, and our own times.
The first two thirds of the volume is the life of the man and his ministry. The final third is split between a series of excerpts of from his writings and a collections of prayers to the saint.
This was a deeply moving read. And maybe my favorite of the CTS Great Saints series to date. It was a story that inspired and challenged me. And to be honest a story that the church could use being reminded of today.
Another excellent read from the Catholic Truth Society and the pen of J.B. Midgley.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.
Books by J.B. Midgley:
Advent & Christmastide with the Saints
Antonio Rosmini
Benedict - Patron of Europe
Bernard of Clairvaux – CTS Great Saints
Charles Borromeo - CTS Great Saints
Companion to St. Joseph
Companion to the Feasts of Mary
Companion to Saint Peter
Companion to Saint Paul
Companion to the Angels
Companion to the Feasts of Our Lord
Companion to the Passion of Our Lord
Dominic - CTS Great Saints
George: Patron of England - CTS Great Saints
Dewi Sant: St David Patron of Wales
Francis de Sales – CTS Great Saints
John Baptist de La Salle – CTS Great Saints
John Vianney – CTS Great Saints
Lent with the Saints
Nurturing the Young
Robert Bellarmine
Saint John the Baptist
Stations of the Cross and Resurrection with the Saints
The Eucharist with the Saints
The Four Evangelists
Thomas Becket – CTS Saints of the Isles
Vincent de Paul – CTS Great Saints
Witchcraft, Sorcery and Magic
…
Contributed to:
First Fridays and First Saturdays The Devotions Explained
...
Books in the CTS Great Saints Series:
Antonio Rosmini - J.B. Midgley
Bernard of Clairvaux - J.B. Midgley
Benedict Patron of Europe - J.B. Midgley
Charles Borromeo - J.B. Midgley
Dominic - J.B. Midgley
Elizabeth of the Trinity The Great Carmelite Saint - Jennifer Moorcroft
Francis de Sales - J.B. Midgley
Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ John Paul Kirkham
George: Patron of England - J.B. Midgley
John Baptist de La Salle - J.B. Midgley
John of the Cross - Jennifer Moorcroft
John Vianney - J.B. Midgley
Louis Marie de Montfort His Life, Message and Teaching - Paul Allerton SMM
Martin de Porres - Glynn MacNiven-Johnston
Patrick Missionary to the Irish - Thomas O’Loughlin
Rita of Cascia - Glynn MacNiven-Johnston
Robert Bellarmine - J.B. Midgley
Saint Anthony of Padua - Jude Winkler
Saint Dominic and the Order of Preachers - Richard Finn
Saint Francis of Assisi - Jennifer Moorcroft
Saint Ignatius of Loyola – J.A. Philips
Saint John the Baptist - J.B. Midgley
Saint Padre Pio A Holy Priest - Jim Gallagher
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux - Vernon Johnson
Thomas Aquinas - Vivian Boland
Vincent de Paul - J.B. Midgley
Robert Bellarmine - J.B. Midgley
Saint Anthony of Padua - Jude Winkler
Saint Dominic and the Order of Preachers - Richard Finn
Saint Francis of Assisi - Jennifer Moorcroft
Saint Ignatius of Loyola – J.A. Philips
Saint John the Baptist - J.B. Midgley
Saint Padre Pio A Holy Priest - Jim Gallagher
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux - Vernon Johnson
Thomas Aquinas - Vivian Boland
Vincent de Paul - J.B. Midgley
1 comment:
Perhaps my number-one takeaway from this review: "...wise and charitable dialogue without hint of apology for the profession of his own...."
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